❓ Mr. Cook questions the Minister for Health regarding expressions of interest for running the Peel Health Campus, specifically concerning the existing proposal from Health Solutions (WA). The Minister clarifies the government's position, stating they will seek alternative views before making a decision on contract renewal.
AnsweredQoN 728Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PEEL HEALTH CAMPUS — CONTRACT RENEWAL —
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
728. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the minister's comments on 8 November 2012
that he will seek other expressions of interest from other companies to run the
Peel Health Campus.
(1) When will
the minister be seeking those expressions of interest from other parties, and
over what period?
(2) What is
the time line for the expressions of interest period, and when will the
minister be announcing the outcome of the expressions of interest?
(3) Does this
mean that the minister will no longer be considering the proposal put to him by
Health Solutions (WA) to extend its private hospital component contract for 60 years
and the public hospital component of its contract for 15 years?
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
728. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the minister's comments on 8 November 2012
that he will seek other expressions of interest from other companies to run the
Peel Health Campus.
(1) When will
the minister be seeking those expressions of interest from other parties, and
over what period?
(2) What is
the time line for the expressions of interest period, and when will the
minister be announcing the outcome of the expressions of interest?
(3) Does this
mean that the minister will no longer be considering the proposal put to him by
Health Solutions (WA) to extend its private hospital component contract for 60 years
and the public hospital component of its contract for 15 years?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
(1)–(3) It
does not mean that. I will reiterate something I have said before, which is
clearly on Hansard if the member
wants to go and check the record: there are three options for further
development of this property. One is that the proposal put forward by Health
Solutions could be accepted by the government in the short term. The second is
that one of those alternative companies that have options may in fact buy out
the company. The third is that we wait until the period of the contract has
ended and then look for options for other —
Mr R.H. Cook : In 2014.
Dr K.D. HAMES : The contract expires in
2017. There is a requirement under the legislation —
Mr R.H. Cook : But you have to start
that process earlier.
Dr K.D. HAMES : That sentence is coming
out of my mouth.
There is a requirement under the contract that by 2014 we
will start having discussions with the current manager of that service on what
may occur into the future and whether or not that contract will be renewed. In
part of that arrangement of deciding and having negotiations as to whether or
not we should continue with that contract, I regard it as more than reasonable
that the government should go out and seek expressions of interest to see what
other model and alternative providers are available before making that
decision. Having said that, I believe there is a need now for an extension of
services at Peel Health Campus. Demand has grown significantly. Demand through
the emergency department is at a level that was not expected for two to three
years. So an option remains for government to have discussions on alternative
arrangements that can be put in place. But I can say that this government will
not be proceeding to renew the contract with Health Solutions without first
seeking alternative views from other companies that may be interested in
running that service.
(1)–(3) It
does not mean that. I will reiterate something I have said before, which is
clearly on Hansard if the member
wants to go and check the record: there are three options for further
development of this property. One is that the proposal put forward by Health
Solutions could be accepted by the government in the short term. The second is
that one of those alternative companies that have options may in fact buy out
the company. The third is that we wait until the period of the contract has
ended and then look for options for other —
Mr R.H. Cook : In 2014.
Dr K.D. HAMES : The contract expires in
2017. There is a requirement under the legislation —
Mr R.H. Cook : But you have to start
that process earlier.
Dr K.D. HAMES : That sentence is coming
out of my mouth.
There is a requirement under the contract that by 2014 we
will start having discussions with the current manager of that service on what
may occur into the future and whether or not that contract will be renewed. In
part of that arrangement of deciding and having negotiations as to whether or
not we should continue with that contract, I regard it as more than reasonable
that the government should go out and seek expressions of interest to see what
other model and alternative providers are available before making that
decision. Having said that, I believe there is a need now for an extension of
services at Peel Health Campus. Demand has grown significantly. Demand through
the emergency department is at a level that was not expected for two to three
years. So an option remains for government to have discussions on alternative
arrangements that can be put in place. But I can say that this government will
not be proceeding to renew the contract with Health Solutions without first
seeking alternative views from other companies that may be interested in
running that service.
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